Characterization of the anti-fatigue effect of Astragali Radix from the Shanxi Hengshan area and its association with taurine metabolism based on 1H NMR metabolomic technology combined with network pharmacology / 药学学报

The objective of this work was to evaluate the anti-fatigue efficacy of Astragali Radix (AR) from the Shanxi Hengshan area and to reveal possible mechanisms by which it relieves fatigue. Efficacy differences between Guangling (GL) and Hunyuan (HY) AR preparations were compared and evaluated, and an 1H NMR metabolomic technique combined with statistical methods was used to identify the metabolites in different groups of mouse gastrocnemius muscle tissues. The differential metabolites after AR treatments were identified according to VIP and P values and the upstream targets were predicted with the help of Metscape. Cytoscape software was utilized to construct a network map of AR potential anti-fatigue targets. Key differential metabolites were identified based on shared targets and entered into the Metaboanalyst website for pathway enrichment analysis, which led to the preliminary elucidation of the molecular mechanisms. The results showed that intervention with AR can significantly improve the swimming-to-exhaustion time, increase liver glycogen, and reduce urea-nitrogen levels in mice. The difference between GL and HY ARs was relatively small, indicating that the quality of AR produced in the Hengshan area is consistent and stable. The metabolic fingerprints of mouse gastrocnemius muscle tissue extracts were composed of 34 metabolites, and the statistical results showed that 19 differential metabolites were significantly reversed after the Hengshan AR intervention. We found that the anti-fatigue effects of AR in the Shanxi Hengshan area were mainly associated with taurine and hypotaurine metabolism through regulation of GAD1, based on network pharmacological analysis. In conclusion, 1H NMR metabolomic techniques were combined with network pharmacology to compare and evaluate the quality of Hengshan ARs, and further associate the fatigue relieve with the regulation of taurine metabolism. This provides a theoretical basis for the resource utilization of Hengshan ARs and the development of anti-fatigue-related products. The animal experiments in this study followed the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Shanxi University and passed the ethical review of animal experiments (Approval No. SXULL2021028).

Protective effects of taurine on learning and memory impairment after exposure to formaldehyde and benzene analogues in young rats / 环境与职业医学

Background Formaldehyde and benzene homologues are common environmental pollutants, and their neurotoxicity has aroused widespread concern. Objective To investigate the effect of taurine on cognitive impairment after exposure to formaldehyde and benzene analogues in young rats. Methods Twenty four-week old SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, with six rats in each group: control group (clean air), model group (5 mg·m−3 formaldehyde + 5 mg·m−3 benzene + 10 mg·m−3 toluene + 10 mg·m−3 xylene), low-dose taurine intervention group (5 g·L−1 taurine + mixture of formaldehyde and benzene analogues), and high-dose taurine intervention group (10 g·L−1 taurine + formaldehyde and mixture of benzene analogues), and the exposure was administered by oral and nasal aerosol inhalation for 28 d. At the end of exposure, the learning and memory ability of rats in each group was measured by Morris water maze test. After the behavioral test, the rats were anesthetized and neutralized, and the brain tissue was harvested for histopathological and molecular biological tests. The apoptosis rate of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area was detected by Tunel assay, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as caspase 3, bax, and bcl-2 in hippocampal tissue were detected by Western blotting. Results The growth and development of rats in each group were good during inhalation. During the Morris water maze experiment, the escape latencies of rats in the taurine intervention groups were not different from that in the control group (P>0.05) from day 3 to day 5 of training, while the escape latency of rats in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). The number of crossing platform and the target quadrant residence time in the high-dose taurine intervention group were not different from those in the control group (P>0.05), while the two variables in the model group and low-dose taurine intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The apoptotic rates of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area of rats in the control group, model group, and low-dose and high-dose taurine intervention groups were 5.11%, 18.87%, 9.39%, and 4.63%, respectively. The apoptotic rate in the model group was higher than those in the control group and low-dose and high-dose taurine intervention groups (P<0.05). The expression levels of caspase 3, bax, and bcl-2 in the hippocampus of rats in the low-dose and high-dose taurine intervention groups showed no difference compared with the control group (P>0.05). The expression levels of caspase 3 and bax in the model group were higher than those in the control group and low-dose or high-dose taurine intervention groups (P<0.05), and the expression levels of bcl-2 was lower (P<0.05). Conclusion The mixed exposure to formaldehyde and benzene analogues can damage the learning and memory ability of young rats, and increase the apoptosis of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region. Taurine can reverse the damage induced by formaldehyde and benzene analogues.

Effect of lncRNA TUG1 on osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To explore the effects of long noncoding-RNA (lncRNA) taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) on the proliferation and osteogenic/odontoblast differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). @*Methods @# hDPSCs were isolated and cultured. The surface antigens CD44, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD133 and STRO-1 were detected by flow cytometry. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining were used to identify the ability of cells to differentiate. RNA was collected on Days 0, 7 and 14 of the osteogenic induction of hDPSCs, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the relative expression of TUG1. The hDPSCs were stably transfected with a lentiviral vector containing the TUG1-silenced pSLenti-U6-shRNA(TUG1)-CMV-EGFP-F2A-Puro-WPRE to silence TUG1. The ability of hDPSCs to proliferate was assessed with the CCK-8 method. ALP and alizarin red staining and quantitative detection were used to detect the ALP activity and formation of mineralized nodules of hDPSCs. The expression levels of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), Runt-associated transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) genes and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot.@*Results @#The hDPSCs were successfully isolated and cultured, and TUG1 expression was significantly increased during osteogenic differentiation (P<0.05). The hDPSCs proliferation was suppressed after silencing TUG1(P<0.05). After osteogenic induction, ALP and alizarin red staining showed that ALP activity and mineralized nodules were suppressed by silencing TUG1. The expression levels of the odontogenic differentiation gene DSPP and DMP-1 and the osteogenic differentiation gene Runx2, OCN and OPN were also significantly decreased (P<0.05).@*Conclusion @# Knocking down TUG1 can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.

S-allyl Cysteine and Taurine revert peripheral metabolic and lipid profile in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus animals: Combination vs Monotherapy

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the beneficial synergistic effects of S-allyl Cysteine (SAC) and Taurine (TAU) on hyperglycemia, lipid profile and renal damage markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats. Experimental T2DM was developed by administering an intraperitoneal single dose of nicotinamide (NA; 230 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/ kg) in adult rats. Control and diabetic rats were treated with SAC (150 mg/kg); TAU (200 mg/ kg) or SAC and TAU (75+100 mg/kg) combination for four weeks. Measurements of traditional markers of kidney toxicity in serum, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), together with serum cholesterol/triglyceride such as serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) may yield a snapshot of renal damage and lipid profile in NA/STZ-treated rats. The variation in levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin and lipid profile was significantly augmented in SAC/TAU treatment group. The diabetic group showed elevated renal injury markers in serum, which were decreased significantly by SAC/TAU treatment. Thus the results of the experiment clearly indicate the potential of the SAC/TAU combination in improving diabetic complications.

Effect of Anti-Oxidative of Ethyl Pyruvate and Taurine on the Red Blood Cell Storage at 4 ℃ / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the anti-oxidative effect of ethyl pyruvate (EP) and taurine (TAU) on the quality of red blood cells stored at 4±2 ℃, hemolysis, energy metabolism and lipid peroxidation of the red blood cells in the preservation solution were studied at different intervals.@*METHODS@#At 4±2 ℃, the deleukocyte red blood cells were stored in the citrate-phosphate-dextrosesaline-adenine-1 (CPDA-1) preservation (control group), preservation solution with EP (EP-AS), and TAU (TAU-AS) for long-term preservation. The enzyme-linked immunoassay and automatic blood cell analyzer were used to detect hemolysis and erythrocyte parameters. Adenine nucleoside triphosphate (ATP), glycerol 2,3-diphosphate (2,3-DPG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) kits were used to test the ATP, 2,3-DPG and MDA concentration.@*RESULTS@#During the preservation, the rate of red blood cell hemolysis in EP-AS and TAU-AS groups were significantly lower than that in CPDA-1 group (P<0.01). The MCV of EP-AS group was increased with the preservation time (r=0.71), while the MCV of the TAU-AS group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). The concentration of ATP and MDA in EP-AS and TAU-AS groups were significantly higher than that in CPDA-1 group at the 14th day (P<0.01). The concentrations of 2,3-DPG in the EP-AS and TAU-AS groups were significantly higher than that in the CPDA-1 group from the 7th day (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EP and TAU can significantly reduce the red blood cell hemolysis rate, inhibit the lipid peroxidation level of red blood cells, and improve the energy metabolism of red blood cells during storage. The mechanism of EP and TAU may be related to their antioxidation and membrane protection effect, so as to improve the red blood cell quality and extend the preservation time.

Effect of prenatal taurine supplementation on sensorimotor ability and hippocampal synaptophysin expression of juvenile rats with intrauterine growth restriction / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of prenatal taurine supplementation on sensorimotor ability and synaptophysin (Syn) expression in the hippocampus of juvenile rats with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).Methods:The IUGR rat model was induced by food restriction throughout pregnancy.Pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal control group, IUGR group and IUGR+ taurine group.Sensorimotor ability was tested in 2-week-old juvenile rats via grading the tail suspension scores and beam balance test scores, followed by detecting Syn expression in the hippocampus of juvenile rats by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.The correlation between sensorimotor ability scores and Syn expression was assessed.Results:Tail suspension time[(14.62±3.46) s vs.(25.38±5.92) s, P<0.001] and beam balance test scores [(9.08±1.38) scores vs.(12.08±1.16) scores, P<0.001] in the IUGR group were significant lower than those of normal control group.Tail suspension time (22.77±5.16) s and beam balance test scores (11.08±1.38) scores in IUGR+ taurine group were significantly higher than those in IUGR group (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference comparable to those in normal control group ( P>0.05). The average optical density ( A) value [(53.96±2.37)% vs.(61.68±3.07)%, P<0.001] and protein expression of Syn (1.82±0.23 vs.2.23±0.17, P<0.001) in rat hippocampus of IUGR group were all signi-ficantly lower than those in normal control group.The A value [(60.27±2.59)%] and expression of Syn protein (2.07±0.17) in IUGR+ taurine group were significantly higher than those in IUGR group (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference comparable to those in normal control group ( P>0.05). The expression of Syn in rat hippocampus was positively correlated with the tail suspension test time and beam balance test scores (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Prenatal taurine supplementation can improve the sensorimotor ability of juvenile rats with IUGR by upregulating Syn in the hippocampus.

Cardioprotective effect of taurine and ß-alanine against cardiac disease in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion-induced rats

BACKGROUND: The present study analyzed the synergistic protective effect of ß-alanine and taurine against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size, lipid peroxidation, and levels of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and the mRNA and protein expression of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator 3 of transcription (STAT3) were determined. The molecular docking was carried out by using AutoDock 4.2.1. RESULTS: Combined treatment with ß-alanine and taurine reduced myocardial infarct size, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory marker, ROS levels, and apoptosis and increased Gpx, SOD activity, GSH, and catalase activity. Furthermore, combined treatment significantly reduced JAK2 and STAT3 mRNA and protein expression compared with the control. The small molecule was docked over the SH2 domain of a STAT3, and binding mode was determined to investigate the inhibitory potential of ß-alanine and taurine. ß-Alanine bound to SH2 domain with ΔG of -7.34 kcal/mol and KI of 1.91 µM. Taurine bound to SH2 domain with ΔG of -7.38 kcal/mol and KI of 1.95 µM. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that the combined supplementation of ß-alanine and taurine should be further investigated as an effective therapeutic approach in achieving cardioprotection in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.

Thymic Metabolomics for Effect of Ganoderma Polysaccharides on Radiation-injured Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To observe the effect of Ganoderma polysaccharides (GP) on endogenous substance metabolism in radiation-injured mice by metabolomics, so as to find potential biomarkers and analyze their metabolic pathways, and to explore its mechanism of action. Method::Thirty mice were randomly divided into normal group (normal saline), model group (normal saline) and GP group (dose of 96 mg·kg-1) for 14 days of continuous intragastric administration, 10 mice in each group, 2 h after the intragastric administration on the 7th day, mice in the model group and GP group were subjected to whole body irradiation by X-rays, except the normal group. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to detect endogenous small molecule metabolites in thymus tissue of mice. Principal component analysis (PCA)and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to compare the changes of endogenous small molecule metabolites in thees three groups, these differential metabolites among the three groups were analyzed by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway method. Result::A total of 34 potential biomarkers were identified, compared with the model group, it was found that the GP group had a significant reversal trend on L-glutamic acid, taurine, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC), etc. They were involved in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism. Conclusion::GP can play a role in radiation protection by improving the expression of related potential biomarkers and related metabolic pathways in thymus of radiation-injured mice.

Taurine as a Drug for Protection of Liver and Kidney against Toxicity of Dinitrotoluene on Male Rats (Applicable Study)

Technical grade dinitrotoluene (tg-DNT) [CH3C6H3 (NO2)2] nitroaromatic agents which are manufactured in theindustries and applied in both commercial and military in all over the world and Egypt. DNT causes malfunctions inkidneys, heart, liver, testes and mammary glands in animals and human beings, which may be considered as carcinogenic inexperimental animals and human. Moreover, taurine, a free β-amino acid with remarkable antioxidant activity, hasimportant beneficial effects on the human body; hepatoprotection, nephroprotection, cardiovascular protection,hypoglycemic impact and hypolipidemicaction. Currently, taurine level in the serum is used as early marker of breast,endometrial and colon cancers. The current research was aimed to explore the potential impacts of the antioxidantproperties of taurine as a protecting material on tg-DNT induced toxicity in the liver and kidney in male rats. 100apparently healthy male rats in 4 groups were included; the first is Frank control group, mouth feeding via gavage withdistilled water; the other groups were administered as following, taurine alone, tg-DNT alone (toxic group), taurine + tgDNT (protective group) in the second, third and fourth groups, respectively. In these groups, blood biochemistry and taurineconcentrations in serum were measured for all animals. Furthermore, histopathological examination studies for liver andkidney were done for all groups. The results showed that, the protective group has marked improvement in most biochemicalparameters than the toxic group. Histological studies revealed a significant marked disturbance in the histopathologicalarchitectures of the kidney and liver in all toxic rats. However, marked improvements in histological architectures wereobserved in protective group. The results support the ameliorative effect of taurine as a protective agent against tg-DNTtoxicity in experimental rats.

Efeitos agudos da ingestão de bebidas energéticas sobre os paramêtros hidro-eletrolíticos durante exercício em esteira / Acute effects of energy drink intake on hydro-electrolytic parameters during the exercise on a treadmill

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi verificar se bebidas enegéticas com diferentes composições nutricionais afetam o balanço hidro-eletrolítico de corredores de resistência. Doze homens participaram desse estudo duplo cego e crossover randomizado, ingerindo 3mg.kg-1 de cafeína de bebida energética convencional e sugar free, e um placebo carboidratado e não cafeinado, 40 minutos antes de sessão de exercício em ambiente termoneutro. Em cada situação experimental, os avaliados realizaram exercício de corrida em esteira com duração de 60 minutos e intensidade constante entre 65 e 75% do VO2max, seguidos por um sprint correspondendo a 100% do VO2max até a exaustão. Foram avaliados o peso corporal (PC), desidratação absoluta e relativa, densidade da urina, taxa de sudorese e níveis de Na+, K+ e hematócrito. Durante o exercício os avaliados receberam somente água a cada 15 minutos. Foi verificada alteração nos níveis de densidade da urina antes e depois do exercício para todos os tratamentos (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa entre as bebidas nos níveis de Na+, K+ e hematócrito (p>0,05) mantendo-se dentro dos níveis de normalidade. Conclui-se que diferentes tipos de bebidas energéticas não afetam o balanço hidro-eletrolítico de corredores de resistência ao longo do exercício.

ABSTRACT This work compares the effects promoted by energy drinks with diferente nutricional compositions on the hydro-electrolytic balance of resistance runners. Twelve men participated in this double blinded, randomized crossover study, ingesting 3mg*Kg-1 of a conventional energy drink with caffeine or sugar-free, and a placebo 40-minutes before tests on thermoneutral environment. The duration of the session was 60 minutes with constant intensity between 65 and 75% of VO2max, followed by a sprint corresponding to 100% of VO2max until exhaustion. There were evaluated body weight (BW), absolute and relative dehydration, urine density, sweating rate and Na+, K+ and hematocrit levels. During the exercise, the participants drunk only water every 15 minutes. Changes in urine density levels were observed before and after exercise for all procedures (p <0.05). There was no significant difference on the levels of Na+, K+ and hematocrit between the drinks (p> 0.05), remaining within normal levels. It is concluded that different types of energy drinks do not affect the hydro-electrolytic balance of resistance runners during the exercise.

Effects of long non-coding RNA TUG1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancerAGS cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#Objective: To investigate the expression of lncRNA TUG1 (long non-coding RNA taurine up-regulated gene 1) in gastric cancer and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Methods: Surgically resected gastric cancer tissues and corresponding distal normal tissues (>5 cm away from the margin of tumor) of 40 gastric cancer patients from March 2016 to December 2017 at Ganzhou People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province were collected, and qPCR was used to examine the expression of lncRNA TUG1.AGS gastric cancer cells were transfected with lncRNATUG1 over-expression plasmids and siRNAs, and the effects of lncRNA TUG1 on cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by CCK-8, qPCR and Flow cytometry. Results: lncRNATUG1 expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues as compared to normal tissues; and it was not correlated with gender, age, tumor size, infiltration depth of tumor, lymph node-metastasis, tumor differentiation and TNM staging. TUG1 over-expression significantly suppressed the expressions of CDKN1A, BAX and Caspase-3 in AGS gastric cancer cells, and decreased G1 phase proportion and apoptosis rate, but increased S phase proportion and cell viability; in contrast, TUG1 siRNA transfection significantly promoted the expressions of CDKN1A, BAX and Caspase-3, and increased G1 phase proportion and apoptosis rate, but decreased S phase proportion and cell viability. Conclusion: Up-regulated lncRNATUG1 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Effect of taurine on the antioxidant capacity and ATP activity of skeletal muscle in rats with exhaustive exercise / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To explore the effect of taurine on the activity of SOD, MDA, Na+ -K+ -ATP enzyme and Bax/Bcl-2 in skeletal muscle of rats after exhaustive exercise.@*Methods@#Thirty male SD rats(6 months old) were randomly divided into normal group, control group and taurine group, with 10 rats in each group.The normal group was given routine feeding for 1 week, adaptive training for 3 days, without applying other measures.The control group was given routine feeding for 1 week, after adaptive training for 3 days underwent exhaustive exercise for 2 days.The taurine group was given 200mg/kg taurine gavage daily on the basis of the control group.The activity of SOD, MDA, Na+ -K+ -ATP and Bax/Bcl-2 were measured in the skeletal muscle after 2 days exhaustive exercise.@*Results@#After 2 days exhaustive exercise, the SOD concentration in skeletal muscle of the control group was (146.58±13.42)U/mg prot, which was lower than that in the taurine group[(143.81±15.93)U/mg prot] (t=2.519, P<0.05). The MDA concentration in the skeletal muscle of the control group was (1.97±0.20)nmol/mg prot, which was higher than that in the taurine group [(1.22±0.19)nmol/mg prot] (t=2.356, P<0.05). The ratio of SOD/MDA in the control group was (60.86±20.38), which was lower than that in the taurine group [(120.87±23.51)] (t=4.071, P<0.05). The activity of Na+ -K+ -ATP in the control group was (2.42±0.67)U/mg prot, which was lower than that in the taurine group [(5.74±1.15)U/mg prot] (t=3.905, P<0.05). The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in the control group was (1.62±0.17), which was higher than that in the taurine group [(0.96±0.14)] (t=3.419, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Taking taurine before exhaustive exercise can increase the ability of scavenging free radicals, reduce the production of oxidative stress products and protect the activity of Na+ -K+ -ATP enzyme.It is benefit for maintain the stability of cell environment and prevent skeletal muscle injury.

Research of Taurine in improving the differentiation of neural stem cells in fetal rats with intrauterine growth restriction / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Taurine on the differentiation of neural stem cells(NSCs)in fetal rats with intrauterine growth restriction( IUGR),and to explore the neuroprotective mechanism of Taurine. Methods IUGR fetal rats models were established with low protein diet. NSCs from subventricular zone( SVZ)were isolated and cultured in υitro. The NSCs were divided into 3 groups:normal control group,IUGR group,and IUGR+Taurine group. The cells were examined by adopting immunofluorescence for counting βⅢ-tubulin protein,glial fibril-lary acidic protein(GFAP)and myelin basic protein(MBP)-positive cells. Protein levels of βⅢ-tubulin and GFAP were detected by using Western blot. Results (1)The number of βⅢ-tubulin protein positive cells in normal control group,IUGR group and IUGR+Taurine group were(18. 50 ± 0. 64)%,(15. 61 ± 0. 76)% and(18. 42 ± 0. 82)%, respectively;the number of GFAP positive cells in normal control group,IUGR group and IUGR+Taurine group were (72. 19 ± 0. 82)%,(74. 87 ± 0. 67)% and(71. 68 ± 0. 92)%,respectively;and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(F＝49. 103,44. 643,all P<0. 01). Compared with the normal control group,βⅢ-tubulin protein positive cells in IUGR group decreased significantly(P<0. 01),but GFAP positive cells in IUGR group increased significantly (P<0. 01). Compared with IUGR Group,βⅢ-tubulin protein positive cells in IUGR+Taurine group increased sig-nificantly(P<0. 01),but GFAP positive cells in IUGR+Taurine group decreased significantly(P<0. 01). There was no significant difference between groupⅠand groupⅢ(all P>0. 05).(2)The levels of βⅢ-tubulin protein in nor- mal control group,IUGR group and IUGR+Taurine group were 0. 44 ± 0. 02,0. 33 ± 0. 03 and 0. 42 ± 0. 02,respective-ly;and the levels of GFAP protein in normal control group,IUGR group and IUGR+Taurine group were 1. 13 ± 0. 02, 1. 50 ± 0. 04,1. 21 ± 0. 01,respectively;and the differences were statistically significant(F＝45. 191,234. 525,all P<0. 01). Compared with normal control group,the levels of βⅢ-tubulin protein in IUGR group decreased significantly (P<0. 01),but the levels of GFAP in IUGR group increased significantly(P<0. 01). Compared with IUGR group, the levels of βⅢ-tubulin protein in IUGR+Taurine group increased significantly(P<0. 01),but the levels of GFAP in IUGR+Taurine group decreased significantly(P<0. 01). There was no significant difference between normal control group and IUGR+Taurine group(all P>0. 05). Conclusions Taurine can promote the differentiation of NSCs toward neurons in IUGR fetal rats,and maintain the normal proportion of all differentiated cells.

Effect of taurine on the antioxidant capacity and ATP activity of skeletal muscle in rats with exhaustive exercise / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the effect of taurine on the activity of SOD,MDA,Na +-K +-ATP enzyme and Bax/Bcl-2 in skeletal muscle of rats after exhaustive exercise.Methods Thirty male SD rats (6 months old) were randomly divided into normal group,control group and taurine group,with 10 rats in each group.The normal group was given routine feeding for 1 week,adaptive training for 3 days,without applying other measures.The control group was given routine feeding for 1 week,after adaptive training for 3 days underwent exhaustive exercise for 2 days.The taurine group was given 200mg/kg taurine gavage daily on the basis of the control group.The activity of SOD,MDA,Na+-K+-ATP and Bax/Bcl-2 were measured in the skeletal muscle after 2 days exhaustive exercise.Results After 2 days exhaustive exercise,the SOD concentration in skeletal muscle of the control group was (146.58 ± 13.42) U/mg prot,which was lower than that in the taurine group [(143.81 ± 15.93) U/mg prot] (t =2.519,P ＜0.05).The MDA concentration in the skeletal muscle of the control group was (1.97 ± 0.20) nmol/mg prot,which was higher than that in the taurine group [(1.22 ± 0.19) nmol/mg prot] (t =2.356,P ＜ 0.05).The ratio of SOD/MDA in the control group was (60.86 ±20.38),which was lower than that in the taurine group [(120.87 ±23.51)] (t =4.071,P ＜ 0.05).The activity of Na +-K +-ATP in the control group was (2.42 ± 0.67) U/mg prot,which was lower than that in the taurine group [(5.74 ± 1.15) U/mg prot] (t =3.905,P ＜ 0.05).The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in the control group was (1.62 ± 0.17),which was higher than that in the taurine group [(0.96 ±0.14)] (t=3.419,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Taking taurine before exhaustive exercise can increase the ability of scavenging free radicals,reduce the production of oxidative stress products and protect the activity of Na +-K +-ATP enzyme.It is benefit for maintain the stability of cell environment and prevent skeletal muscle injury.

Anxiolytic Action of Taurine via Intranasal Administration in Mice

Taurine has a number of beneficial pharmacological actions in the brain such as anxiolytic and neuroprotective actions. We explored to test whether taurine could be transported to the central nervous system through the intranasal route. Following intranasal administration of taurine in mice, elevated plus maze test, activity cage test and rota rod test were carried out to verify taurine’s effect on anxiety. For the characterization of potential mechanism of taurine’s anti-anxiety action, mouse convulsion tests with strychnine, picrotoxin, yohimbine, and isoniazid were employed. A significant increase in the time spent in the open arms was observed when taurine was administered through the nasal route in the elevated plus maze test. In addition, vertical and horizontal activities of mice treated with taurine via intranasal route were considerably diminished. These results support the hypothesis that taurine can be transported to the brain through intranasal route, thereby inducing anti-anxiety activity. Taurine’s anti-anxiety action may be mediated by the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor as evidenced by the inhibition of strychnine-induced convulsion.

Taurine: A potential mediator for periodontal therapy

Taurine or 2-aminoethanesulfonic has many fundamental biological roles such as conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, and modulation of calcium signaling. It is essential for cardiovascular function and development and function of the skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system. Functions of taurine include osmoregulation; membrane stabilization; modulation of calcium levels; and antioxidation, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antilipid activities. Taurine was first discovered as a component of ox (Bos taurus, from which its name is derived) bile in 1827; it had taken over a century before insights into its physiological functions were made. The present review throws light on the multifactorial properties of taurine and its potential to be used in periodontal therapy.

Risk Assessment of "Other Substances" – Taurine

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (Vitenskapskomiteen for mattrygghet, VKM) has, at the request of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet; NFSA), assessed the risk of "other substances" in food supplements and energy drinks sold in Norway. VKM has assessed the risk of doses in food supplements and concentrations in energy drinks given by NFSA. These risk assessments will provide NFSA with the scientific basis while regulating the addition of “other substances” to food supplements and other foods. "Other substances" are described in the food supplement directive 2002/46/EC as s ubstances other than vitamins or minerals that have a nutritional and/or physiological effect . It is added mainly to food supplements, but also to energy drinks and other foods. VKM has not in this series of risk assessments of "other substances" evaluated any claimed beneficial effects from these substances, only possible adverse effects. The present report is a risk assessment of taurine, and it is based on previous risk assessments and articles retrieved from a literature search. According to information from NFSA, taurine is an ingredient in food supplements and energy drinks sold in Norway. NFSA has requested a risk assessment of 750, 800, 900, 1000 and 2000 mg/day of taurine in food supplements, and of 300, 350 and 400 mg/100 ml of taurine in energy drinks. Drinking patterns reflecting a high acute intake, a mean chronic intake and a high chronic intake were assessed. For food supplements, the intake of taurine was estimated for the age groups children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (>18 years), whereas for energy drinks the age group children (3 to <10 years) was also included. Other sources of taurine, such as foods and cosmetics, have not been included in the present risk assessment. Taurine (CAS No. 107-35-7) is synthesised endogenously (average 50-125 mg per day), and participates in the formation of bile salts and is involved in a number of crucial physiological processes, including modulation of calcium flux and neuronal excitability, osmoregulation and membrane stabilisation. Taurine occurs naturally in food, especially in meat and seafood. The mean daily intake of taurine from the diet has been estimated to vary between 40 and 400 mg/day. There are indications that taurine may have cardiovascular and neurological effects in humans. However, based on the human studies, an intake of approximately 21 mg/kg bw per day is considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects. Based on a 13-week neurotoxicity study in rats, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1000 mg/kg bw per day for pathological changes was set in 2009 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In the present risk assessment, VKM has used this NOAEL of 1000 mg/kg bw per day from rats. The human studies available were not of sufficient quality (due to low number of participants, non-healthy populations, short duration) to be used as the sole basis for the risk characterisation. The risk characterisation is based on the margin of exposure (MOE) approach; the ratio of the NOAEL to the exposure. An acceptable MOE value for a NOAELbased assessment of taurine based on an animal study is ≥100, which includes a factor 10 for extrapolation from animals to humans and a factor 10 for interindividual human variation. However, since the NOAEL set by EFSA was based on the highest tested dose and there is a possibility that the actual NOAEL is higher than 1000 mg/kg bw per day, the intake that was considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects based on human studies (21 mg/kg bw per day) was also taken into consideration in the risk characterisation. Food supplements: For children (10 to <14 years), the estimated daily intakes of taurine were 17.3, 18.4, 20.7, 23.0 and 46.1 mg/kg bw per day from daily doses of 750, 800, 900, 1000 and 2000 mg taurine, respectively, from food supplements. The margin of exposure (MOE) values was in the range of 22-58 for the various taurine doses, i.e. all below 100. However, from a daily intake of 750, 800 or 900 mg taurine from food supplements, the estimated intakes were below 21 mg/kg bw per day (the intake considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects based on human studies). VKM therefore concludes that it is unlikely that a daily intake of 750, 800 or 900 mg taurine from food supplements causes adverse health effects in children (10 to <14 years). The estimated exposure from a daily intake of 1000 or 2000 mg taurine was above 21 mg/kg bw per day. Thus, VKM concludes that a daily intake of 1000 or 2000 mg taurine from food supplements may represent a health risk in children (10 to <14 years). For adolescents (14 to <18 years), the estimated daily intakes were 12.2, 13.1, 14.7, 16.3 and 32.6 mg/kg bw per day from daily doses of 750, 800, 900, 1000 and 2000 mg taurine, respectively, from food supplements. For adults (≥18 years), the estimated intakes were 10.7, 11.4, 12.9, 14.3 and 28.6 mg/kg bw per day from a daily intake of 750, 800, 900, 1000 and 2000 mg taurine, respectively, from food supplements. For adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), the MOE values were in the range of 31-82 and 35-93, respectively, i.e. all below 100. However, from a daily intake of 750, 800, 900 or 1000 mg taurine from food supplements the estimated intakes were below 21 mg/kg bw per day (the intake considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects based on human studies) for both age groups. Thus, VKM concludes that it is unlikely that a daily intake of 750, 800, 900 or 1000 mg of taurine causes adverse health effects in adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years). For adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years) the estimated MOE values were 31 and 35, respectively, i.e. below 100, after a daily intake of 2000 mg taurine from food supplements. In addition, the estimated intakes were above the intake level of 21 mg/kg bw per day (the intake considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects based on human studies) for both age groups. Thus, VKM concludes that a daily intake of 2000 mg of taurine may represent a risk of adverse health effects in adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years). Energy drinks: High acute drinking pattern, all age groups: For the high acute drinking pattern, the estimated consumption of energy drinks was 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2000 ml/day for children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), respectively. For the concentrations of 300, 350 and 400 mg taurine/100 ml energy drink, the intake levels of taurine after a high acute consumption of energy drinks (in mg/kg bw per day) were 130, 152 and 173; 104, 121 and 138; 97.9, 114 and 131; and 85.7, 100 and 114, for children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), respectively. Due to lack of an acute reference dose or other data for acute toxicity of taurine, it was not possible to characterise the risk related to an acute intake of taurine for any of the age groups. Mean chronic drinking pattern, all age groups: For the mean chronic drinking pattern, the estimated consumption of energy drinks was 58, 65, 64 and 71 ml/day for children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), respectively. For the concentrations of 300, 350 and 400 mg taurine/100 ml energy drink, the intake levels of taurine after a mean chronic drinking pattern (in mg/kg bw per day) were 7.5, 8.8 and 10.0; 4.5, 5.2 and 6.0; 3.1, 3.7 and 4.2; and 3.0, 3.6 and 4.1, for children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), respectively. In all age groups, the estimated MOE values were 100-333, i.e. 100 or above, for all three taurine concentrations. In addition, the estimated intakes were all below 21 mg/kg bw per day (the intake considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects based on human studies) for all age groups. Thus, VKM concludes that it is unlikely that the mean chronic intake of all three concentrations of taurine causes adverse health effects in children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years). High chronic drinking pattern, all age groups: For the high chronic drinking pattern, the estimated consumption of energy drinks was 163, 180, 211 and 320 ml/day for children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), respectively. For the concentrations of 300, 350 and 400 mg taurine/100 ml energy drink, the intake levels of taurine after a high chronic drinking pattern (in mg/kg bw per day) were 21.2, 24.7 and 28.2; 12.4, 14.5 and 16.6; 10.3, 12.0 and 13.8; and 13.7, 16.0 and 18.3 mg/kg bw per day for children (3 to <10 years), children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), respectively. For children (3 to <10 years), the estimated MOE values were 47, 40 and 35, for the three taurine concentrations of 300, 350 and 400 mg/ml, respectively, i.e. all below 100. In addition, the estimated intakes were all above 21 mg/kg bw per day (the intake considered unlikely to cause adverse health effects based on human studies) for all three taurine concentrations. Thus, VKM concludes that a high chronic intake of all three concentrations of taurine from energy drinks may represent a health risk in children (3 to <10 years). For children (10 to <14 years), adolescents (14 to <18 years) and adults (≥18 years), the estimated MOE values were in the range of 55-97, i.e. all below 100 for all three taurine concentrations. However, the estimated intakes were all below the intake level of 21 mg/kg bw

Bebidas cafeínadas energizantes: efectos neurológicos y cardiovasculares / Caffeinated energy drinks: neurological and cardiovascular effects

RESUMEN Las bebidas cafeínadas energizantes están compuestas esencialmente de cafeína, hidratos de carbono y suplementos dietarios. Aunque los fabricantes defienden que estas bebidas son seguras y muchos consumidores las perciben así, hay preocupación por la posibilidad de que se presenten eventos adversos al consumirlas. Esto nos motivó a hacer una revisión con énfasis en los riesgos cardiovasculares y neurológicos. Se encontraron más quejas de salud (cefalea, trastornos del sueño, irritación y cansancio) en los consumidores que en los no consumidores. Las consultas a urgencias por usar bebidas energizantes fueron más frecuentes cuando hubo coingestión de etanol y otras drogas. La principal causa de consulta cardiovascular a urgencias fue la arritmia y la neurológica, la convulsión. La evidencia encontrada fue de muy baja calidad, lo que limita establecer un nexo de causalidad entre su consumo y estos riesgos. Por otro lado, la interpretación de la toxicidad de estos preparados es complicada porque se deberían tener en cuenta variables como la dosis usada, las diferencias en la sensibilidad del consumidor, el hábito de consumo y el de fumar, la coingestión de otras sustancias, etc., para poder valorar el verdadero riesgo de estas bebidas. A pesar de esto, su consumo concomitante con etanol parece ser un factor de riesgo para toxicidad.

SUMMARY Energy caffeinated beverages are composed mainly of caffeine, carbohydrates and dietary supplements. Although manufacturers claim that these drinks are safe and many consumers perceive that also, there is concern about the possibility that adverse events may occur with their consumption. This led us to review the literature with emphasis on the cardiovascular and neurological risks. It was found that the major health complaints (headache, sleep disorders, irritation and fatigue) were more frequent in consumers than in non-consumers. Emergency room visits motivated by the use of energy drinks were more frequent when there was co-ingestion of ethanol and other drugs. The main cause of cardiovascular emergency consultation was arrhythmia and the neurological one, seizure. The evidence found was of poor quality, which prevented establishing a causal link between the consumption of these drinks and such risks. On the other hand, interpretation of the toxicity of these preparations is complicated because several variables should considered such as dose, individual sensibility, consumption habits, smoking, and co-ingestion of other substances, etc., in order to assess their real risk. Despite this, concomitant consumption of these beverages and ethanol seems to be a risk factor for toxicity.

Diagnóstico ecocardiográfico e tratamento de cardiomiopatia dilatada em tamanduá- bandeira ( Myrmecophaga trydactila ) mantido em cativeiro: relato de caso / Echocardiographic diagnosis and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in captive giant anteater (Myrmecophaga trydactila): case report

A cardiomiopatia dilatada é uma doença de caráter crônico, que compromete a função cardíaca, resultando em desequilíbrio da circulação sanguínea e da homeostase corporal do animal. Este relato apresenta a evolução do quadro clínico e o tratamento de cardiomiopatia dilatada em um exemplar cativo de tamanduá-bandeira. O animal apresentou quadro clínico de insuficiência cardíaca e foi submetido a duas baterias de exames laboratoriais e de imagem em um período de três meses. Posteriormente, foi iniciado o tratamento com pimobendan e suplementação de taurina, resultando em resposta positiva e melhora dos sinais clínicos do paciente. Os achados ecocardiográficos do caso foram compatíveis com cardiomiopatia dilatada com sinais evidentes de diminuição progressiva das frações de ejeção, bem como encurtamento e aumento expressivo das câmaras cardíacas, quando se comparou este caso ao de cães de grande porte e animais saudáveis da mesma espécie. O tratamento com inotrópico positivo, suplementação dietética de taurina e diuréticos se mostrou eficiente em controlar os sinais clínicos do animal.(AU)

The dilated cardiomyopathy it is a chronic disease that leads to a cardiac dysfunction, resulting in unstable blood circulation and specimen body homeostasis. This description shows the dilated cardiomyopathy evolution and treatment in a giant anteater captive model. The patient presented cardiac insufficient clinical condition and was submitted to two sets of laboratorial and image exams in three months. Furthermore, the treatment started with pimobendam and taurine supplementation, leading to satisfactory response to treatment and clinical improvement. The echocardiographic findings were compatible with dilated cardiomyopathy, moreover clear evidence of progressive reduction at the ejection portions and shortening and expressive increase of the cardiac chamber when compared to large dogs and healthy animals of the same species. Treatment with positive inotropic and taurine dietary supplement revealed as effective in clinical managementr.(AU)

Cytoprotective Effect of Taurine against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in UMR-106 Cells through the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Osteoporosis development is closely associated with oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taurine has potential antioxidant effects, but its role in osteoblasts is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effects and mechanisms of actions of taurine on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in osteoblast cells. UMR-106 cells were treated with taurine prior to H₂O₂ exposure. After treatment, cell viability, apoptosis, intracellular ROS production, malondialdehyde content, and alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity were measured. We also investigated the protein levels of β-catenin, ERK, CHOP and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) along with the mRNA levels of Nrf2 downstream antioxidants. The results showed that pretreatment of taurine could reverse the inhibition of cell viability and suppress the induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner: taurine significantly reduced H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage and expression of CHOP, while it induced protein expression of Nrf2 and β-catenin and activated ERK phosphorylation. DKK1, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor, significantly suppressed the taurine-induced Nrf2 signaling pathway and increased CHOP. Activation of ERK signaling mediated by taurine in the presence of H₂O₂ was significantly inhibited by DKK1. These data demonstrated that taurine protects osteoblast cells against oxidative damage via Wnt/β-catenin-mediated activation of the ERK signaling pathway.